Why do you run?

Allison1385
Allison1385 Posts: 353 Member
edited July 2015 in Fitness and Exercise
I was never a fan of running for fun when I was in high school. But the summer before I was married (6 years ago) I gave it a try, and fell in love! The obvious reason for most people to pick it up is for weight loss, and that first summer it sure worked! In the years later through pregnancies, I only ran a few times. Gym time on a treadmill is the worst!! I'll do it, but can only stick to maybe a mile without absolute boredom kicking in! Well this summer I started up again and fell back into my love affair. It is so true, your body will become addicted to it. My favorite time to run is during a very hot day with lots of sun! May sound dumb, but I love the feeling of sweating and actually feel like I'm doing something. Lol. Like the fat on my body is crying for me to stop. I stay hydrated of course! When I am finished (and I usually do only about 3 miles) my body feels strong, energized! Then, when I get home I don't feel like eating a bunch of junk food. If I did, I'd puke! So it keeps me wanting to eat healthy so I can continue on! My other reasons for running are to keep my heart as healthy as it possibly can be! My mother's father (my grandpa) died at 47 of a massive heart attack! (He was not a over weight man) My grandmother died of congestive heart failure. My mother is on disability for a enlarged heart, congestion heart failure and also another heart disease. So I keep on running! I will do whatever it takes to stay healthy. I do not smoke, I try to eat as clean as possible. When I run, my mind clears too! Anything I'm stressed about gets pushed aside because I need to focus on the activity. Where I usually go, the trail follows a river so it is very relaxing! It's my me time...
Favorite quotes:
"I may be slower than a turtle stomping through peanut butter, but I run!"
"You may not be the fastest runner, but you are running laps around those sitting on a couch"
So why do you run? :D
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Replies

  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    Running to help endurance and stamina for other activities. Weight loss helps those other activities too.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Police trying to get me and hang these false charges on my head. As soon as dogs lose my scent I'm never running again
  • boogiewookie
    boogiewookie Posts: 206 Member
    I would run if something scary was chasing me....does that count?
  • whatatime2befit
    whatatime2befit Posts: 625 Member
    boogiewookie wrote: »
    I would run if something scary was chasing me....does that count?

    I was just about to post "when monsters are chasing me", but you beat me to it :)

    Unfortunately I don't run. I don't have the endurance for it. I can do a slow run for about 3-4 minutes, then I'm done in. Kudos to all you runners out there, who can do miles and miles at a time.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    I started for weight loss reasons as well. At this point I really am not sure why. I could come up with many reasons. I imagine that bio-chemically it all boils down to the fact that the endorphins released over the period of time I committed to running made me addicted, just like any other thing we do that triggers a release of endorphins. But that is a far less interesting reason than all of the other ones.
  • sadiebrawl
    sadiebrawl Posts: 863 Member
    I run for mental reasons. Running (and sex) are the only time my mind actually relaxes. I'm a huge stress ball otherwise. My fav running quote is "find your happy pace".
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    (1) because zombies are chasing me
    (2) because a killer is chasing me
    (3) because a loved one is in IMMEDIATE need of help


    i workout 5 days a week. but i dont run. LOL
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    edited July 2015
    I run because I get there faster. It's more work now that I have to worry about my ligaments and my joints, but I am still running. I am also running ahead to the day weight loss won't come as easy.

    IMG_2854.JPG

    My favourite quote is on my Brooks band that I earned after finishing my eight week Learn to Run class, it says, "Run Happy".
  • hoyalawya2003
    hoyalawya2003 Posts: 631 Member
    DavPul wrote: »
    Police trying to get me and hang these false charges on my head. As soon as dogs lose my scent I'm never running again

    LOL. I once had a public defender claim that his client just thought the police were letting him go when he ran away from them. Guess he just needed some exercise.

    I too am addicted to the endorphins, and the feeling of accomplishment. And the physical changes in my body, and the increased stamina for my main sport.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    I started running last September primarily for fitness reasons. Yes I had a lot of weight to lose but I was just tired of being tired and unable to keep up with my active family. Also I pined for the past where I'd been a fit distance runner and mountaineer.

    Ok, that's all b.s. I started running because I'm an unimaginative simpleton! There, that's more honest.

    Why do I still run? That's easy. I'm an unimaginative simpleton! It works for me so I won't change it.

  • blazincajun
    blazincajun Posts: 19 Member
    I run because I just want to be faster that the other old guy and because I can not stand the feeling of that extra stuff in my midsection when I reach down to tie my shoes. If I wanted to be a jogger I would jog instead of running.
  • cheshirecatastrophe
    cheshirecatastrophe Posts: 1,395 Member
    2pk5ihg0a5bc.jpg
  • JustChristy79
    JustChristy79 Posts: 156 Member
    I've always been one of those chubby girls that walked the mile in gym class. I HATED running. I decided to challenge myself.

    I started running for physical health, but now I do it more for mental health. Just me, my playlist & open road. I love it.

    Living in California, I get plenty of sunny day runs, but my favorite is rainy day runs! Sure, everyone driving by looks at you like you're completely insane, but I don't care. Running in the rain is like a religious experience for me, very spiritual. Wish California would get some rain!!!!! Sigh
  • kristenlegro
    kristenlegro Posts: 5 Member
    I was a swimmer from 6 years old all the way through college. I HATED running. It is a completely different form of breathing from swimming and I would basically hyperventilate from trying to breathe too much when running. A few years after I was done with college swimming I realized how out of shape I was getting and I needed to do something. I didn't have a well paying job and was living paycheck to paycheck, so joining a gym was out of the question. I decided to start running. I still hated it. It took me about a month to finally fall in love with running. I love being able to clear my mind and it is also great exercise for my dog! I just moved to Washington state from south Florida and these hills are killing me!!! It's like starting all over again!
  • blazincajun
    blazincajun Posts: 19 Member
    kristenlegro wrote: »
    ... these hills are killing me!!! It's like starting all over again!

    Oh, those hills are so good for you - just maintain good running form and lean a little forward from the hips going downhill.

    Have a great day!

    Andrew
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    whatatime2befit wrote: »
    Unfortunately I don't run. I don't have the endurance for it. I can do a slow run for about 3-4 minutes, then I'm done in.

    When I started to run, I could only do short periods at a time. Now I'll quite comfortably run for 3 hours in a session. It takes building up to, and if you can run for 3-4 minutes today, you've got the potential to be running 5km in about 8 weeks and 10Km in about 16 weeks.

    Anyway, my main reason for running is that I enjoy it.
  • ellieheartspizza
    ellieheartspizza Posts: 1 Member
    Running makes me grateful for my health and body.

    I spend so much time hating on my imperfections- the jiggle here, the cellulite there... but when I run I'm overwhelmed by how amazing my body is and what it's capable of. It helps me focus on what's truly worthy of attention. :)
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    I run because I enjoy the simplicity of it and because old age is gaining on me!
  • csk0018
    csk0018 Posts: 219 Member
    I run to prove something to myself -- that I can always work on becoming better at it with each step. And the chili dogs tastes much better after a really long run. ;)
  • Diana_GettingFit
    Diana_GettingFit Posts: 458 Member
    I'm diabetic and in December the doctor wanted to put me on a second medication. I was already on Metformin. I started running to get my fitness level up, to lose weight and to try to get my A1C down. Last month it was 5.8 which is in the normal range. Now I'm off medication altogether! I've also dropped two pant sizes since I started running. Now I'm a runner for life!
  • Winterlover123
    Winterlover123 Posts: 352 Member
    I just love how it feels, beating my last time, every time. Plus it is a GREAT stress relief for me :)
  • UltraRunnerGale
    UltraRunnerGale Posts: 346 Member
    I started running when I was 44 and going through breast cancer treatments. I keep running because I'm a 56 year old ultra runner and that's just plain cool!! B)
  • gobonas99
    gobonas99 Posts: 1,049 Member
    I run because I love doing triathlons, and running is a requirement. LOL :wink:
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    because it was a challenge. I was a "if I'm running, you run too, because something evil this way comes" girl. because I wanted to lose weight and walking wasn't cutting it. because I want to improve my endurance.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    I run because with trails like this and a willing running buddy how could I not want to?
    IMG_20150610_155011.jpg
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    edited July 2015
    I do it because I enjoy it. And I enjoy the challenge of trying to improve my time/pace. And the extra calories are nice too.

    whatatime2befit wrote: »
    Unfortunately I don't run. I don't have the endurance for it. I can do a slow run for about 3-4 minutes, then I'm done in. Kudos to all you runners out there, who can do miles and miles at a time.
    That's how everyone starts. You improve on it bit by bit. Run 3 minutes, add 10% each workout. Or try a couch to 5k program.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    I'm out of ammo.
  • Eire228
    Eire228 Posts: 238 Member
    You are all inspiring me to get back out there! I started running to lose weight and I didn't have the money to join a gym. I kept running because it's effective and nice to be outside. I stopped over the winter because of the snow and tried to get back into it this spring. Unfortunately I used all sorts of excuses to not go (I'm too busy, I can't get up in the morning before work, I just had my appendix out and even though the doctor said I could run, I'm not ready yet...). But I was planning on getting back to it today, and now I definitely will. You've all reminded me of the other reasons it's so great! So thanks. :)
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    I run to find a cure.

    ar8usu4umjy5.jpg

    https://www.teamintraining.org/
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    Eire228 wrote: »
    But I was planning on getting back to it today, and now I definitely will. You've all reminded me of the other reasons it's so great! So thanks. :)

    That's great! If you need a goal to keep you at it, consider joining the July Running Challenge - it's never too late, just pick a smaller reasonable goal and build. And then the August challenge. And...

    SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Highly addicting, but hey, it's OK.

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